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Gospel Singer, Eight Others Jailed For Internet Fraud In Kwara

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A gospel singer, Otitoju Moses Sesan, and eight others have been convicted by courts in Ilorin, Kwara State, over internet fraud, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds, following prosecutions by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement by the head, media and publicity of the anti graft agency, Dele Oyeyemi, he said that Otitoju Moses Sesan, a 31-year-old gospel artiste from Iyamoye in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, was on Thursday, July 17, 2025, sentenced to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Ilorin.

Otitoju, who claimed in his extra-judicial statement to be a popular gospel performer at weddings, naming ceremonies, and funerals in Lokoja, Kogi State, was found guilty of retaining the proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to over N8.4 million in his bank account.

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The charge against him reads in part: “That you, OTITOJU MOSES SESAN, sometime between October 2024 and December 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did retain control of the gross sum of N8,404,339 in your UBA account, being proceeds of criminal conduct, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(a) and (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004.”

READ ALSO:EFCC Arraigns Bankers, Accomplices For Alleged N8.5bn Fraud

Otitoju was convicted alongside Ayodele Joseph Daisi, Adeoye Joseph, and Abubakar Aliyu Abdulmalik, all arraigned by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency (EFCC) on similar charges.

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Ayodele, who was found to have retained N243,750 in his UBA account, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment without option of fine. His Techno 19 was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.

Adeoye, from Okene LGA of Kogi State, was handed eight months imprisonment without option of fine as well. He forfeited the sum of $220, an iPhone 13, and a Techno Pop 9 phone to the Federal Government.

Abubakar was sentenced to six months imprisonment, with an order of forfeiture of his iPhone 16 and Samsung S10 to the Federal Government.

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READ ALSO:EFCC Arrests 31 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Nasarawa

The EFCC was represented in the prosecution of the cases by Aliyu Adebayo, Sesan Ola, Rashidat Alao, and Mustapha Kaigama, who tendered statements, exhibits, and sums recovered as restitution, which were admitted in evidence.

Meanwhile, in a related development, Justices Haleema Saleeman and Sulaiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court convicted Emeka Oluwatobi Achi, Isaac Babalola Oluwafemi, Afolabi Faith Olatoye, Zubeiru Zubeiru Junior, and Abdulkadir Taofeek on charges including cybercrime and misappropriation.

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Justice Akanbi sentenced Abdulkadir to three years imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine and ordered the final forfeiture of N800,000, one iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone to the Federal Government.

On her part, Justice Saleeman sentenced Emeka, Isaac, and Afolabi to six months imprisonment each with an option of N100,000 fine. Emeka was further ordered to refund N3.35 million within three months and to report every fortnight with his parents to the EFCC until full repayment is made.

 

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Why I Prefer To Raise Kids In Nigeria – M.I Abaga

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Nigerian rapper and music executive, M.I Abaga, has revealed that he would prefer to raise his future children in Nigeria because of the country’s strong sense of family and community.

Speaking in a recent interview, the hip-hop star said Nigeria offers a more supportive environment for raising children compared to some Western countries.

According to him, the communal lifestyle in Nigeria makes parenting easier, as relatives are often available to help.

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READ ALSO:How My Fiancée kept Me From Temptations – Singer Spyro

He said, “There are a lot of things appealing about home, especially because we’re already ingrained in that system. There’s a lot of support as well. I feel it’s very difficult for parents here.

“But if you have family, now you have enough people that can stay at home and support you. But it’s not easy, man.”

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M.I contrasted this with life abroad, particularly in the United States, where many people work long hours and family members may not be available to offer help.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri Dumps PDP For APC

He added that while he understands the appeal of raising kids overseas, Nigeria provides a stronger foundation for children to understand their roots and culture before gaining exposure abroad.

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Although M.I noted that he is not yet making concrete family plans, he emphasized that Nigeria’s close-knit culture remains one of its greatest advantages when it comes to raising children.

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Oscar-winning Actress Diane Keaton Dead At 79 – Report

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Actress Diane Keaton, known for her Oscar-winning performance in 1977’s “Annie Hall” and her role in “The Godfather” films, has died at age 79, People magazine reported Saturday.

Details were not immediately available, and Keaton’s loved ones have asked for privacy, a family spokesperson told People, which confirmed that the actress died in California.

Keaton, a style icon, was a frequent collaborator of director Woody Allen, portraying the titular character in “Annie Hall,” the charming girlfriend of Allen’s comic Alvy Singer.

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The film also garnered Oscars for best picture, best director and best original screenplay, cementing Keaton’s place as one of the industry’s top actresses and an offbeat style icon as well.

READ ALSO:Full List Of Winners At Oscars 2025

The actress made her mark co-starring in eight Allen movies, from “Play in Again Sam” (1972) to “Manhattan” (1979) and “Manhattan Murder Mystery” (1993).

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As the Hollywood sexual harassment scandals detonated in late 2017, cascading from producer Harvey Weinstein to heavyweight actors like Kevin Spacey, old accusations of child sex abuse against Allen by his adoptive daughter Dylan, resurfaced.

Woody Allen is my friend and I continue to believe him,” Keaton tweeted in January 2018.

A BAFTA and Golden Globe winner, Keaton scored Oscar nominations three other times for best actress, for “Reds,” “Marvin’s Room” and “Something’s Gotta Give.”

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READ ALSO:5 Nigerians Who Have Received Oscars Nomination, Award

In “The Godfather” films, she played Kay Adams, the girlfriend and eventual wife of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone.

Late in her career, Keaton starred in two movies about ageing women: “Book Club” (2018), with its message that love has no age, and “Poms” (2019).

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“Poms” is the story of Martha, a terminally ill woman who moves to a retirement community to die, but winds up forming a cheerleading squad made up of female senior citizens.

As for ageing, Keaton said in a 2019 interview with AFP that life actually got easier.

I think so, because what have you got to lose? It’s like it’s the truth. That’s what it is. You face it, we talk about it,” she said.

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READ ALSO:See Full List Of Winners At The 96th Oscars

Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles on January 5, 1946, Keaton was romantically involved with Allen, Pacino and Warren Beatty, but never married.

“Most people in the movies get married at some point, and then they divorce. But I’ve never even got married. I am (a) failure,” she joked in the 2019 interview.

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Did she regret it? “I don’t think about it a lot, but I’m aware of the fact that I’m unusual in that regard, and maybe I did miss out on something — but then, nobody can have everything, right?”

She is survived by her two children, Dexter and Duke.
AFP

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Why I Can’t Quit Music – Erigga

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Nigerian rapper Erhiga Agarivbie, popularly known as Erigga, has revealed that he can’t quit music, stressing that he is doing it for passion and not for financial gains.

In an interview with Hip TV, Erigga noted that every year, some of his colleagues leave the music industry due to various circumstances.

However, he said he can’t quit because music is his life.

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READ ALSO:Why I Will Never Date A Rapper Again – AKA’s Ex, Nadia Nakai

The rapper emphasised that his passion for music supersedes the financial and social benefits.

“Every year, people leave music for real-life issues. But I can’t stop. Music is life. It’s what keeps me going. Take the business and everything out of it, it’s more of a passion. I can’t disappoint my fans,” Erigga said.

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